Sunday letters

Published: Sunday, July 13, 2014 at 1:00 a.m.

Last Modified: Friday, July 11, 2014 at 1:10 p.m.

War, truth

and Mideast despair

"The first casualty when war comes is truth." The adage remains valid. Or, perhaps, the truth is the second or even third casualty after honest conversation and deliberation. Once war comes, the honest exchange of views ends; the wagons are circled, and criticism of the homeland government becomes blasphemy.

After a terrorist attack, the first thing that we should ask is: What does the terrorist want us to do? And then we should resolve not to do it.

Sadly, after 9/11 we did exactly what al-Qaida wanted: We attacked Afghanistan and Iraq and remained in both countries long enough to aid in al-Qaida's recruitment program.

While the response of the Israeli government to terrorists' rockets launched from Gaza is understandable, I fear that this is exactly what Hamas wants, and that saddens me.

Further, conversation relating to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is dead for the moment, a casualty of terrorist rockets, murdered teenagers and the war those acts have ignited. Hamas is salivating at its success. There will be innocent people killed in Gaza and elsewhere, and for every casualty, Hamas will find several new recruits to its cause.

The discussion of illegal settlements on the West Bank and need for a two-state solution to the conflict has been strangled in the cradle, as all remain silent regarding the real issues facing a country we love.

Truth, honesty and open conversation: May you rest in peace.

Rabbi Geoff Huntting

Sarasota

Inspiring series

Bravissime to Carrie Seidman and Elaine Litherland for their absolutely wonderful series, "Home to Havana." What a huge pleasure to read about something so great happening in our world and coming from Sarasota, no less. Congratulations and thank you -- and the Serrano Family -- for bringing us this joyful and inspiring story.

Robert Wilk

Sarasota

Consider temporary

party switch

On Aug. 26, Sarasota County will conduct a primary election that will determine the Republican candidate for the District 4 seat on the County Commission. (The primary winner will face a Democrat and unaffiliated candidate in November.)

During the primary, voters will have an opportunity to choose Lourdes Ramirez -- who represents our interests and not those of the narrowly focused, self-serving development community.

In order to vote for Lourdes in this closed primary, we must share her Republican affiliation. If you are a Democrat, Independent or have no party affiliation and would like to vote in the Republican primary, you can make a change in affiliation in person at county offices or by downloading an application at www.Sarasotavotes.com and mailing it in. After voting in the primary, it is a simple matter to switch back to your original party affiliation.

Changes to party affiliations must be made by July 28, and all voters need to be registered to vote in Sarasota County by that date.

You can request an absentee ballot up to 5 p.m. Aug. 20. (Voting by absentee ballot starts July 22.) In-person early voting can be done at county offices in Sarasota, Venice and North Port Aug. 16-23.

Sarasota County needs a voice on the board that is fair and unbiased and not focused only on developers and big money.

Kathleen Cevoli

Englewood

Industrial vote

questioned

Regarding "Industry park has cleared hurdle," July 10 Herald-Tribune:

Listening to the spurious arguments justifying the action to give insiders a sweetheart deal leads me to believe that our county commissioners need some training in two areas, stewardship and economics.

We elect our county commission to be good stewards of our community assets for all of our citizens, not just a select few. Special advantage to a few insiders is detrimental to us all and undermines our faith and belief in our government.

Economic growth can only be stimulated by population growth or increased consumption. The movement of population or buying from one area to another does not in itself create economic growth. While one area gains jobs, other areas lose jobs! Increased consumption can only happen by more money in the system, i.e., higher wages or employment equals more spending, or new products that create a need.

There is no doubt that our community is going through economic change. New buildings and venues are driving old buildings and venues into economic loss. New venues are moving retail and industrial growth from one area to another. This is how capitalism works, but the downside is that when someone or someplace receives economic growth because of a new venue or technology, someone or someplace else adapts or pays the price. Examples abound!

It would be nice if we had our eyes wide open to the real economic and technological changes happening rather than blindly believing that all of this is good.

Bob Richardson

Sarasota

Homeless irony

How fitting that Outdoor World and Bass Pro Shops are coming to Sarasota, especially since the homeless spend so much time outside. Then it's off to a carefree day of shopping, followed by an afternoon watching polo and rowing races at Benderson Park.

<p>War, truth</p><p>and Mideast despair</p><p>"The first casualty when war comes is truth." The adage remains valid. Or, perhaps, the truth is the second or even third casualty after honest conversation and deliberation. Once war comes, the honest exchange of views ends; the wagons are circled, and criticism of the homeland government becomes blasphemy.</p><p>After a terrorist attack, the first thing that we should ask is: What does the terrorist want us to do? And then we should resolve not to do it.</p><p>Sadly, after 9/11 we did exactly what al-Qaida wanted: We attacked Afghanistan and Iraq and remained in both countries long enough to aid in al-Qaida's recruitment program.</p><p>While the response of the Israeli government to terrorists' rockets launched from Gaza is understandable, I fear that this is exactly what Hamas wants, and that saddens me.</p><p>Further, conversation relating to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is dead for the moment, a casualty of terrorist rockets, murdered teenagers and the war those acts have ignited. Hamas is salivating at its success. There will be innocent people killed in Gaza and elsewhere, and for every casualty, Hamas will find several new recruits to its cause.</p><p>The discussion of illegal settlements on the West Bank and need for a two-state solution to the conflict has been strangled in the cradle, as all remain silent regarding the real issues facing a country we love.</p><p>Truth, honesty and open conversation: May you rest in peace.</p><p>Rabbi Geoff Huntting</p><p>Sarasota</p><p>Inspiring series</p><p>Bravissime to Carrie Seidman and Elaine Litherland for their absolutely wonderful series, "Home to Havana." What a huge pleasure to read about something so great happening in our world and coming from Sarasota, no less. Congratulations and thank you -- and the Serrano Family -- for bringing us this joyful and inspiring story.</p><p>Robert Wilk</p><p>Sarasota</p><p>Consider temporary</p><p>party switch</p><p>On Aug. 26, Sarasota County will conduct a primary election that will determine the Republican candidate for the District 4 seat on the County Commission. (The primary winner will face a Democrat and unaffiliated candidate in November.)</p><p>During the primary, voters will have an opportunity to choose Lourdes Ramirez -- who represents our interests and not those of the narrowly focused, self-serving development community.</p><p>In order to vote for Lourdes in this closed primary, we must share her Republican affiliation. If you are a Democrat, Independent or have no party affiliation and would like to vote in the Republican primary, you can make a change in affiliation in person at county offices or by downloading an application at www.Sarasotavotes.com and mailing it in. After voting in the primary, it is a simple matter to switch back to your original party affiliation.</p><p>Changes to party affiliations must be made by July 28, and all voters need to be registered to vote in Sarasota County by that date.</p><p>You can request an absentee ballot up to 5 p.m. Aug. 20. (Voting by absentee ballot starts July 22.) In-person early voting can be done at county offices in Sarasota, Venice and North Port Aug. 16-23.</p><p>Sarasota County needs a voice on the board that is fair and unbiased and not focused only on developers and big money.</p><p>Kathleen Cevoli</p><p>Englewood</p><p>Industrial vote</p><p>questioned</p><p>Regarding "Industry park has cleared hurdle," July 10 Herald-Tribune:</p><p>Listening to the spurious arguments justifying the action to give insiders a sweetheart deal leads me to believe that our county commissioners need some training in two areas, stewardship and economics.</p><p>We elect our county commission to be good stewards of our community assets for all of our citizens, not just a select few. Special advantage to a few insiders is detrimental to us all and undermines our faith and belief in our government.</p><p>Economic growth can only be stimulated by population growth or increased consumption. The movement of population or buying from one area to another does not in itself create economic growth. While one area gains jobs, other areas lose jobs! Increased consumption can only happen by more money in the system, i.e., higher wages or employment equals more spending, or new products that create a need.</p><p>There is no doubt that our community is going through economic change. New buildings and venues are driving old buildings and venues into economic loss. New venues are moving retail and industrial growth from one area to another. This is how capitalism works, but the downside is that when someone or someplace receives economic growth because of a new venue or technology, someone or someplace else adapts or pays the price. Examples abound!</p><p>It would be nice if we had our eyes wide open to the real economic and technological changes happening rather than blindly believing that all of this is good.</p><p>Bob Richardson</p><p>Sarasota</p><p>Homeless irony</p><p>How fitting that Outdoor World and Bass Pro Shops are coming to Sarasota, especially since the homeless spend so much time outside. Then it's off to a carefree day of shopping, followed by an afternoon watching polo and rowing races at Benderson Park.</p><p>John Shirk</p><p>Bradenton</p>